Oops Card Teacher Guide The Oops Card
Teacher Instruction Guide
Goals
Identify the "OOPS" visual symbol.
Practice saying "Oh well, maybe later."
Understand that schedules can change.
Supplies
Bubble solution and wand
A printed "OOPS" card (red/yellow)
The classroom visual schedule
1 The Bubbles "Accident" (The Hook)
"Class, it's time for our special BUBBLE break! Look at the schedule, I'm putting the bubbles icon right here... wait, oh no! (Pretend to spill the solution or realize the wand is 'missing'). I can't do bubbles right now. This is an OOPS moment!"
2 Introducing the Script
When the "OOPS" card goes over an activity, we take a deep breath and say our Stretchy Phrase :
"Oh well..."
"Maybe later!"
Classroom Practice
Walk to the class schedule. Pick a low-stakes activity (like 'Clean Up' or 'Line Up'). Place the OOPS card over it. Have the whole class chant the phrase together. Then, remove the OOPS card and show that we can go back to the schedule once the problem is fixed or the next activity starts.
Oops Alert Slides The Oops Alert!
What happens when plans change?
Our Daily Plan
Arrival
Reading
Recess
Lunch
We usually follow our plan...
OOPS!
Recess
But sometimes...
Something unexpected happens!
Our Stretchy Thinking Script
😤
Take a big breath...
💬
"Oh well, maybe later!"
Can you handle it?
Yes!
I am stretchy!
Oops Card Worksheet Oops Alert!
I can be a stretchy thinker.
Name:
Date:
1 Color the OOPS card!
OOPS
?
Use red and yellow to make it bright!
2 Trace our stretchy thinking words.
Oh well...
Maybe later!
3 How does your brain feel when things change?
Sad
Mad
Stretchy!
Substitute Teacher Guide Switching the Plan
Teacher Simulation Guide
The Skill
Students learn that when one plan goes away, a new plan takes its place. This visual validation prevents the feeling of "nothing" happening.
Scenario
It's a rainy day! Recess (Outside) is cancelled. We must swap it for Recess (Inside).
1
The Rainy Warning
"Listen! (Play rain sounds). It's raining outside. That means our plan for outside recess has to change. Look at the schedule..."
2
The Physical Swap
Demonstrate taking the "Sun/Park" icon off the schedule. Put it in a "Later/Not Now" bin. Physically pick up the "Blocks/Indoor" icon and velcro it into the empty slot.
Instructional Tip: Always have the replacement icon ready before removing the old one to minimize anxiety.
3
Validation
"We aren't losing playtime, we are just switching the place! Old plan out, new plan in. Let's trace our new schedule together."
Flexible Thinking Prompts
"Why can't we go outside today?" (Safety, wet ground)
"Is the new plan still fun?" (Yes, we have toys inside!)
"What else could we do if the toys were broken?" (Drawing, reading)
Switch It Up Slides Switch It Up!
Making a New Plan
The Old Plan: Recess Outside
OUTSIDE
Wait for it...
Oh no! Rain!
PLAN CHANGE ALERT
The Big Switch
Outside
INSIDE
Old plan out... New plan in!
My Brain is Stretchy!
"I can play inside today. That's a great plan!"
Rainy Day Swap Activity The Big Swap
Old plan out, new plan in!
Explorer:
Instructions:
It is raining! Put an X on the Outside Recess.
Cut out the Indoor Fun icon from the bottom.
Glue it over the old plan!
Our Schedule
Reading
Recess
(Outside)
Glue Here
Lunch
Cut Here
Indoor
Recess
Surprise Teacher Guide The Glittery Surprise
Teacher Lesson Guide
Emotional Goal
To teach students that change can be positive . This builds curiosity and reduces the fear that change always equals "loss" or "bad news."
The Setup
Place a glittery question mark icon (or post-it) over a regular schedule slot. Hide the "special activity" underneath.
1
The Hook: Mystery Time
"Class, look at our schedule today! Something is hidden under this special purple card. It says 'SURPRISE!' That means our plan changed for a happy reason!"
2
Managing the Excitement
Surprises can be overstimulating. Use a "Surprise Breath" :
"Open eyes wide (Inhale)... Close eyes tight (Exhale)... I'm ready for the surprise!"
3
The Reveal
Lift the surprise icon to reveal a fun reward like:
Dance Party
Stickers
Special Guest
The Lesson Mantra
Explain that just like the "OOPS" card, the "SURPRISE" card means the plan is changing. Sometimes it's hard, and sometimes it's fun, but we can handle both with our Stretchy Brains .
Surprise Good Slides ?
The Mystery Change
Surprises can be FUN!
Reading
?
Surprise!
What could it be?
The Surprise Breath
Breathe In
Open eyes WIDE!
Breathe Out
Close eyes tight.
I'm ready!
Changes can be Awesome!
Dance
Party
Sticker
Time
Art
Project
Stay Stretchy!
"I love surprises. I can handle any change!"
Surprise Artist Worksheet The Surprise Box
I am ready for a happy change!
Explorer:
What's the surprise?
Imagine a fun surprise on your schedule. Draw it inside the sparkly box!
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My Surprise Checklist:
I used my Surprise Breath.
I am ready for fun!
Unavailable Teacher Guide The No Circle
Managing Choice & Limits
The Skill
Students learn to accept that certain items or areas are closed (unavailable) and immediately look for a Plan B or Plan C .
The Hook
Use a puppet (e.g., "Silly Sam") who wants to play with the blocks, but the blocks have the red circle on them because they are being cleaned.
1 Puppet Play: "Silly Sam's Choice"
Sam: "Oh boy! I want to build a big tower! I'm going to the block center... wait! What is this red circle? I can't go in?"
Teacher: "That's right, Sam. The blocks are unavailable right now. They need a rest. Your brain is getting stiff! Let's stretch it."
Sam: (Takes a deep breath) "Okay. If I can't do blocks, I can do... (looks around) I can do ART or I can do PUZZLES!"
Teaching Choice-Making
Find the Circle
Identify the red slash/circle on the visual.
List Options
Ask: "What IS open?" Have them name 2 things.
Pick One
"I will choose (Plan B) instead."
Note: For some students, seeing the "Unavailable" icon is harder than seeing it physically removed. Practice specifically with the Red Circle / Slash sticker or icon.
Unavailable Slides Unavailable!
What do we do when a choice is closed?
Spot the Symbol
Blocks
Stop!
This area is closed. It is unavailable.
Stiff Thinking
"But I only want blocks! No other choice!"
Stretchy Thinking
"Blocks are closed. I can pick something else!"
Finding My Plan B
Blocks
?
Art
Puzzles
"If I can't do one thing, I can choose two others!"
I can handle it!
I am a great choice-maker.
Choice Maker Sorting Activity Choice Maker
Finding my Plan B.
Name:
1 Can I play here? Draw a line to the right side!
Puzzles
Blocks
Art
Unavailable
(Closed)
Available
(Open)
My Plan B Choice:
If blocks are closed, I will choose:
Draw Here
Flexibility Challenge Teacher Guide The Stretchy Challenge
Mastery & Real-World Practice
The Final Test
This lesson isn't taught in a single sitting. It is a day-long event where you intentionally create "bumps" in the schedule to see how students apply their stretchy thinking skills.
Planned "Bumps"
The Supply Bump
"Oops! I'm all out of blue paper. What is our Plan B?"
(Testing: Alternative generation)
The Schedule Bump
Put an OOPS card over a favorite activity (like Snack) and move it 15 minutes later.
(Testing: Coping phrases)
The Surprise Bump
Add a "Surprise" icon to the afternoon for a 5-minute movement break.
(Testing: Regulating excitement)
The Seat Bump
"Today, we are switching our carpet spots! Find a new friend to sit by."
(Testing: Flexibility with routine)
Flexibility Points
When you see a student stay calm and "stretch," give them a point!
Calm Body
Stretchy Words
Found Plan B
Aim for 100% "Oh well, maybe later" responses by the end of the day.
Flexibility Challenge Slides Flexibility Challenge!
Are you a Stretchy Thinker today?
What is a Stretchy Brain?
Stiff
"Only one way!"
VS
Stretchy
"I can try a different way!"
My Stretchy Toolbelt
The Oops Card
The Swap
The Surprise
Unavailable
Use these today to earn points!
Flexibility Points
🧘♂️
I kept my body calm.
💬
I said "Oh well!"
💡
I found a new plan.
Stretchy Minds...
...Can do anything!
Flexibility Star Tracker My Flexibility Stars
I am a Stretchy Thinker!
Stretchy Thinker:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
How to earn a star:
Calm body when the plan changes.
Used my words: "Oh well!"
Found a new choice to try.
Schedule Toolkit Printable Schedule Toolkit
Printable icons for your visual schedule.
Instructions: Print on cardstock and laminate. Use velcro or magnets to place these icons over your classroom visual schedule when plans change.
The OOPS Card
OOPS!
OOPS!
OOPS!
OOPS!
The SURPRISE Card
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Unavailable Symbols
Stretchy Tokens
Stretchy Brain Schedules Toolbelt